Disneyland, the brainchild of animator and film producer Walt Disney, was first opened to the public in 1959. Walt Disney, along with his team of "Imagineers" created a theme park that transports people into a fantasy land where anything is possible. A weekend in Disneyland can be a pricey vacation but there is hope for the budget traveler and you don't have to wish upon a star. With these money-saving tips, you too can escape to the Magical Kingdom.

Book OnlineThe best deals are found online. Sites like expedia.com and hotels.com offer affordable rates on hotels, flights and car rentals. Pick your dates and filter the results according to price. When you find a package that suits your budget, click onto the hotel to view pictures of the room and a map to see how close it is to Disneyland

. The area surrounding the park is filled with hotels in all price ranges.

If you are satisfied, go to tripadviser.com and see how other travelers rated the hotel. Travelers rank hotels on a scale of one to five and leave comments. If your hotel received a 4 or 5, you picked a winner – book it.

The site also allows you to choose from a variety of flight times. For international flights, it is best to show up at the airport three hours before departure – keep this in mind when you choose flight times.

For the best deals, book your Disneyland pass online as well. A three day park-hopper pass (this allows you entry into the California Adventure Park as well as Disneyland) sells for around $150. All rides and entertainment are included and as an added bonus; you get one day where you can enter the park an hour before it opens and get on the most popular rides without having to wait in line.

Pack a Snack Bring along some snacks and water; these items are expensive inside the park

. Having something to munch on will also stop the rumbling in your tummy and give you time to find a reasonably priced eatery once inside the park. Be sure to pick up a free park map at the entrance as it will show you where the restaurants are located and what they serve.

Be a Smart ShopperDisneyland has a huge selection of souvenir items. Retail shops are scattered throughout the park with the biggest concentration on Main Street. The prices are consistent but it still pays to shop around for variety. Most of the items can be found in the World of Disney store in downtown Disneyland (the shopping area located outside the park on the way to the Disneyland Resort hotels). It also pays to shop for souvenirs just outside the park gates as different items are often available at cheaper prices.

No matter how much you spend on your Disney adventure, I have no doubt the experience will leave you with priceless memories that will last a lifetime.